In the sense that AA has a belief construct that they insist initiates adopt, and in the sense that the belief construct includes a stigmatized self-image, and denigrates self-worth, and in the sense that it replaces one mental crutch with another, and never does the mental therapy necessary for the initiate to discard said crutch, and in the sense that it retains membership through such tactics, and in the sense that it imposes leadership and fosters a follower mentality, it is a cult. So is any religious organization.
Hahaha, that's really funny, Space, you must be really super smart, and you clearly can't be bothered to LOOK IT UP. So I will wipe you ass for you.
Here's a surprise for you, smart guy: there are many resources out there to objectively determine a "cult." I suppose your lilly fingers are too delicate to click, so I'll impart to you a PARTIAL list.
1: milieu control The organisation controls its people by group pressure or geographical isolation.
2. cult of confession
3. sacred science The organisation's methods are perfect. Any fault lies with the person, not with the methods. Furthermore, testimonies and present successes demonstrate that the system works. One must have faith and go on. That sounds mighty familiar. Doesn't sound like an OBJECT like a DOUGHNUT or a CUP OF COFFEE, as Space so brilliantly suggests
4. loading of the language The organisation redefines words (especially emotionally-charged words) to suit its outlook in the world, and more importantly, the outlook it wants its members to have. The creation of new words or expressions also isolates the member from the outside world.
There are many more, including these characteristics:
Salvation Love-Bombing Cognitive Dissonance Charismatic Leadership Deception in Recruiting
and on and on. A cult probably have between 5 and 10 points from the main list.
If your fingers are stong and manly (doubtful) you could look this up, by checking some of the phrases I use here. Or you can just jump up and down and get excited and accuse me of thinking Bowling is a cult. Which is just stupid.
3 comments:
Well, no, that wouldn't be correct. Fortunately we have good defenitions for what a cult is. AA happens to fit that definition better than most.
In the sense that AA has a belief construct that they insist initiates adopt, and in the sense that the belief construct includes a stigmatized self-image, and denigrates self-worth, and in the sense that it replaces one mental crutch with another, and never does the mental therapy necessary for the initiate to discard said crutch, and in the sense that it retains membership through such tactics, and in the sense that it imposes leadership and fosters a follower mentality, it is a cult. So is any religious organization.
Did I miss anything?
Hahaha, that's really funny, Space, you must be really super smart, and you clearly can't be bothered to LOOK IT UP. So I will wipe you ass for you.
Here's a surprise for you, smart guy: there are many resources out there to objectively determine a "cult." I suppose your lilly fingers are too delicate to click, so I'll impart to you a PARTIAL list.
1: milieu control
The organisation controls its people by group pressure or geographical isolation.
2. cult of confession
3. sacred science
The organisation's methods are perfect. Any fault lies with the person, not with the methods. Furthermore, testimonies and present successes demonstrate that the system works. One must have faith and go on.
That sounds mighty familiar. Doesn't sound like an OBJECT like a DOUGHNUT or a CUP OF COFFEE, as Space so brilliantly suggests
4. loading of the language
The organisation redefines words (especially emotionally-charged words) to suit its outlook in the world, and more importantly, the outlook it wants its members to have. The creation of new words or expressions also isolates the member from the outside world.
There are many more, including these characteristics:
Salvation
Love-Bombing
Cognitive Dissonance
Charismatic Leadership
Deception in Recruiting
and on and on. A cult probably have between 5 and 10 points from the main list.
If your fingers are stong and manly (doubtful) you could look this up, by checking some of the phrases I use here. Or you can just jump up and down and get excited and accuse me of thinking Bowling is a cult. Which is just stupid.
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